Beryllium Copper (BeCu) is one of the strongest copper-based alloys on the market. Not only does BeCu have superior strength, but it also has excellent thermal conductivity, corrosion-resistance, resistance to sparking, and is non-magnetic. This unique set of qualities make BeCu a powerful alloy for use in a variety of defense and commercial applications.
An Extraordinarily Strong Copper Alloy
With strengths up to 1,400 MPA, or 200,000 psi, it is the strongest of all copper-based alloys. This strength makes BeCu ideal for pressure vessels and conveyances that require strength and long-life cycle in hazardous or corrosive environments. It also allows for better miniaturization by facilitating easy manufacture of smaller complex shapes requiring high repetitive functions.
Made For Harsh Environments
BeCu’s unique properties make it suitable for use in the harshest environments. Because it is non-sparking and non-magnetic, this material can be employed in a variety of applications, including these:
- Gas or oil downhole drilling
- Telecommunications components, particularly at seafloor depths
- Burn-in and test sockets (BITS) for computers
- Wire harnesses and connectors in many automotive or aerospace applications
- Powertrains for the automotive industry
- Many others, including switches and relays, plastic molds and tooling machinery, and medical devices
No Compromise On Conductivity
BeCu alloys also maintain the superior conductivity of copper, which makes them especially good for applications requiring electrical or thermal conductivity, such as microelectronics that require superior energy efficiency and long product life. Because of this long-life cycle, use of beryllium copper alloys conserve natural resources and are more sustainable than many other alloys.
IBC’s BeCu Product Offering
IBC Advanced Alloys most popular Beryllium Copper alloys are C17510 and C17200.
C17200 contains 1.8 to 2 percent beryllium and is the hardest and strongest Beryllium Cooper alloy used on the market. It is manufactured to provide a combination of high strength and hardness properties along with superior thermal properties.
C17510 provides excellent strength, high thermal conductivity, and lower beryllium content. This product offers improved conductivity with 45-60 % IACS pure copper and .2 to .6% beryllium chemical makeup.
These high-performance alloys are available as rings, discs, bars, rods, and plates.
IBC also makes 17500, CCNB; as well as casting alloys 275C, 20C, 14C, and 165C, and customer specific alloys.
For More Information
For more information on IBC’s BeCu alloy products, and the wide array of mission-critical alloys we make, please see our Products page:
